November 30, 2004

Mfume to resign from NAACP

According to reports from the Baltimore Sun & USA Today, NAACP head Kweisi Mfume is expected to announce his resignation from the post today.

Mfume, 56, has said he would like time off to spend with his six sons, the youngest of whom is 14. He also reportedly is looking forward to a break from the punishing schedule of leading the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights group.

Mfume will soon conclude his ninth year as NAACP president. He took over the organization amid financial problems and turmoil under the leadership of Benjamin Chavis.

After keeping a schedule that includes 65 trips a year on NAACP business, the source said, Mfume will likely take a vacation after his departure.

Mfume reportedly will serve as a consultant with the NAACP until the end of the year. The organization is expected to begin a nationwide search and have a new president by its next national convention in July 2005. According to NAACP rules, officers in the group cannot seek or hold public office.

Political allies said Mfume is eyeing a run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Paul S. Sarbanes, whose current term ends in 2006. Sarbanes is 71 and has not said publicly what his intentions are.

Mfume was previously a Baltimore city councilman and a US Congressman from Maryland. He also had explored running for the office of mayor of Baltimore in the late 90s.

The group claims to be non-partisan, but past experience and practice have shown otherwise. I wouldn't be surprised if another Democratic politician (or former politican) gets the nod to replace Mfume. I wonder what Bill Clinton is doing with his time.... (he said with his tongue only HALF stuck in his cheek)

Michael the DNC might offer him the Job just to save face. They might try to court him in order to give this illusion to African Americans that "Hey we Don't take your vote for granted" They know that he will not accept the offer and in turn seek what is might be a possible Senate seat in 06 if Sarbanes retires.